UEFA has been met with outrage after it failed to mention that a Palestinian footballer was killed by Israel during a tribute.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said on Wednesday that Suleiman Al-Obeid, 41, was killed when Israeli forces attacked civilians waiting for humanitarian aid.
In a post on Twitter/X paying tribute to Al-Obeid, European football association Uefa made no mention towards how Al-Obeid died.
"Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele'," the post said.
"A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times", without mentioning how he died.
Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times. pic.twitter.com/wGSXCq2ceo
— UEFA (@UEFA) August 8, 2025
The post was met with outrage, with Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah responding: "Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?"
Can you tell us how he died, where, and why? https://t.co/W7HCyVVtBE
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) August 9, 2025
Among those who praised his response was former Labour leader and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, who said: "Well said Mo!"
Salah, 33, who has more than 19 million followers on Twitter/X, previously called for aid to be allowed into Gaza, saying that "the massacres need to stop".
“The escalations in the recent weeks is unbearable to witness. All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop. Families are being torn apart.”
Uefa's response was also criticised by UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who responded to the post by calling for Israel to be banned from Uefa.
"Time to expell its killers from competitions," she wrote.
"Lets make sport apartheid and genocide free. One ball, one kick at the time."
Time to expell its killers from competitions, @UEFA. Lets make sport apartheid and genocide free. One ball, one kick at the time. https://t.co/PwmrOYhbPG
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) August 10, 2025
Abubaker Abed, a Palestinian football journalist who has previously reported on Israel's targeting of sportspeople, said: "You're complicit in the genocide in Gaza. Who killed him? Who killed more than 800?
"Kick Israel out of FIFA and ban it from all international football. These are mere platitudes. Enough!"
You’re complicit in the genocide in Gaza. Who killed him? Who killed more than 800? Kick Israel out of FIFA and ban it from all international football. These are mere platitudes. Enough! https://t.co/WsCZzAJEHN
— Abubaker Abed (@AbubakerAbedW) August 8, 2025
Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer responded: "He was murdered by the Israeli regime. I can see why you don't want to mention that, given you still allow their clubs and national teams to compete in your tournaments. Cowards."
Meanwhile, Scottish writer Irvine Welsh said: "Check those shiteing c***s."
The PFA said that Al-Obeid, who was married with two sons and three daughters, scored more than 100 goals during his career, "making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football".
Al-Obeid's talent on the pitch earned him the nickname of "the Palestinian Pele", a nod to the legendary Brazilian widely hailed as one of the greatest players of all time.
His death adds to a growing toll of athletes killed in Gaza during Israel's brutal assault on the enclave, with at least 662 sportspeople and their relatives reported to have been killed.
The PFA said that the number of footballers killed or who have died from starvation has reached 421, including 103 children.
It added that 288 sports facilities have been damaged or reduced to rubble across Gaza and the West Bank, from stadiums and training grounds to gyms and clubhouses.
The vast majority, 268, were in Gaza, while 20 were in the West Bank, with about half serving football directly.
Among the sites hit was the PFA's headquarters in Gaza, which was struck during an Israeli air raid.
More than 1300 Palestinians are believed to have been killed around aid distribution points managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since the US- and Israeli-backed group launched in May.
